President's Message

Dear AADEP Fellows and Members:

At the mid-point of AADEP’s 23^rd year, and as we approach our 24^th Annual Scientific Session, I report the following from your Board of Directors, 24^th Annual Course Chairs and Executive Director:

In February, 2010 your Board of Directors met for its first Strategic Planning Retreat since 2007. The Retreat was necessitated by the paradigm shift I mentioned during my Presidential Address. AADEP will continue our outstanding CME Program.  AADEP courses will address “Physician’s Learning Gaps.” AADEP learners will take home the needed tools, allowing us to change our practices to positively impact on the barriers that we, as Independent Medical Examiners, physicians, and AADEP’s Allied Health members, face every day in our offices. The trend in AADEP CME is towards more small group sessions addressing the specialized needs of our advanced membership, while continuing to provide Clinical, Comprehensive and appropriate education for our newest members. The Retreat was facilitated by Past AADEP President and former AAOS Executive Medical Director Robert Haralson, MD, MBA, and included Past AADEP Presidents Gunnar Anderssen, MD, PhD, David Randolph, MD, MPH, and Douglas Martin, MD. Annual Chairs are refining 2011 offerings now. Watch for the full schedule.  

Based on our written report and your maintaining AMA membership, AADEP retains its seat in the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) until 2015. AADEP AMA Delegate David Randolph, MD, MPH, and Alternate Delegate Douglas Martin, MD, have continuous terms to give AADEP delegates the opportunity to progress to more powerful AMA committees. This provides AADEP greater recognition, exposure and opportunities to promulgate AADEP principles. For example, Doctor Martin has been appointed to AMA CPT Advisory Committee to represent AADEP as primary Advisor. AADEP remains as the only exclusive Impairment/Disability teaching association with AMA delegate status.

In November, 2009 AADEP was re-accredited by the ACCME until 11/20/2013.   Your AADEP Board of Directors has already initiated steps to insure that AADEP makes a smooth transition into its next accreditation period. AADEP’s next self study deadline is 04/01/2013. Our current team will gradually transition its leaders and staff with the requisite training and experience to go forward. 

In 2010, AADEP has entered into multiple Joint Sponsorship Agreements in order to increase exposure for AADEP’s CME and members, which included:

The February 19^th, 2010 AADEP submission of our proposal and subsequent course to teach 30 Judges and staff attorneys in The  Significant Changes in the AMA “Guides 6^th Edition”, with   Comparisons and Changes From the 5^th Edition.

On March 26^th, 2010 AADEP, through a collaborative agreement, which you will see more and more often, taught its first ever CME Course at the 50^th Annual American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO), entitled Add a Feather in Your Cap by Bettering Your Bottom Line with New Expertise Performing Independent Medical Exams and Medical Reports. For the first time in more than a decade, osteopathic members of AADEP could receive Category I-A CME credits for an AADEP Course.